Three "professional" shoplifters who raided stores in Pembrokeshire have been jailed today (Wednesday).

Stephen Coray, aged 32, Simon Purcigo and Richard Pace, both 33, brazenly walked out of stores with thousands of pounds worth of items.

They admitted stealing £2,500 worth of electrical items from Boots in Haverfordwest, £500 worth of electronic gaming devices from Tesco in Pembroke Dock and £1,260 worth of electrical items and fragrances again from Boots in Haverfordwest.

Swansea crown court heard how they filled rucksacks with items of value and just walked out.

The judge, Mr Recorder Chris Clee, described them as professional shoplifters who already had a raft of previous convictions for similar offences and regarded getting caught and sent to jail as an occupational hazard.

Corey, of Plymouth Wood Road, Cardiff, was jailed for 48 weeks, Purcigo, of Saundersfoot Close, Cardiff, for 76 weeks and Pace, who is currently serving a sentence for other offending, for 44 weeks.

Mr Recorder Clee said Purcigo was the ringleader but the trio had acted as a group who thought it was worthwhile to travel from Cardiff to west Wales to steal from shops where they thought they would not be recognised.